The European Commission has authorised France under to provide a Eur11 million grant for the construction of a 43 MW boiler using renewable sources (biomass). The heat will be produced and delivered on the industrial site operated by Roquette Freres in Beinheim. The Commission concluded that the aid is in line with EU state aid … Read more
The Commission has presented its new strategy for a competitive, sustainable and secure energy. The Communication ‘Energy 2020’ defines the energy priorities for the next ten years and sets the actions to be taken in order to tackle the challenges of saving energy, achieving a market with competitive prices and secure supplies, boosting technological leadership, … Read more
Average CO2 emissions from new cars sold in the EU dropped by 5% last year, the biggest annual fall ever recorded, a report just published by the European Commission shows. The Commission report summarising data on emissions from new passenger cars for the monitoring year 2009 shows a 5.1% drop in average C02 emissions against … Read more
The European Commission is proposing to ban the use of phosphates and phosphorous compounds in laundry detergents. Phosphates from detergents are one of the main sources of ‘red tides’ and ‘green tides’ of algae bloom and seriously affect water quality, both in rivers and at sea. Getting rid of phosphates is difficult – they have … Read more
The European Commission has authorised The Netherlands under EU state aid rules to provide a €150 million grant for a CO2 capture and storage (CCS) demonstration project to a joint venture between E.ON and GDF Suez. The joint venture will construct a CO2 capture plant in the Rotterdam port area with the aim to capture … Read more
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on how to achieve a low carbon European economy by 2050. In early 2011, the Commission plans to publish a Roadmap on options for ‘decarbonising’ the European economy by 2050 and the public consultation will feed into this. The roadmap will set out a strategy for reducing … Read more
Over the past few years, globalisation and climate change have increased the challenges the EU faces in preventing the entry and spread of non-native plant pests in its territory. Red Palm Weevil is devastating palm trees in Mediterranean Member States, outbreaks of Pine Wood Nematode in Portugal are threatening millions of hectares of coniferous forest … Read more
The European Commission is asking Ireland to comply with a ruling by the EU’s Court of Justice regarding waste disposal. While good progress has been made in some instances, more action is needed in areas such as construction waste and end-of-life vehicles. If the necessary actions were not taken, the Commission may take Ireland back … Read more
The European Commission has for the very first time proposed energy labels for TVs. For refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines the existing label scheme will be updated. Energy labels help consumers to choose products which save energy and thus money. They also provide incentives for industry to develop and invest in energy efficient product design. … Read more
The European Commission has welcomed the adoption of the Security of Gas Supply Regulation by the European Parliament. The new legislation will strengthen the coordination between Member States and ensure that effective action will be taken in advance to prevent and mitigate the consequences of gas supply disruptions. The regulation is a major step forward … Read more